Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano insists he has no problem with the club but just fancies a change of lifestyle.

The 26-year-old has made no secret of his wish to leave Anfield, with Inter Milan and Barcelona reportedly interested in acquiring his services. But Mascherano revealed he has no issue with the Merseyside club - he just wants a new challenge.

Speaking after Argentina's 1-0 win over Republic of Ireland, he told Sky Sports: "The only thing I want to say is I don't have nothing against the Liverpool supporters, the Liverpool people."

He added: "My problem is not to play for Liverpool. I'm very proud to play for Liverpool. It's another thing.

"I said to him (new Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson) that maybe for my life I prefer to change the country, not to change the club - that is the fact.

"Sometimes you can see all the things that the papers or the press say, but at the end the only thing I can say is thank you to everyone in Liverpool because they supported me all the time, from the beginning until now."